It literally means "hand application" or "use of the hand." It refers to the use of hands for various purposes like:
* Gestures in dance: In classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, there are specific hand gestures called "mudras" that convey emotions, stories, and characters.
* Sign language: Sign language uses hand gestures to communicate.
* Rituals: Some religious rituals involve specific hand gestures.
So, depending on the context, "hastha prayagam" can be interpreted as a general term for hand movements or specific hand gestures with meaning.